Spartan Soldiers
Spartan Soldiers are considered to be some of the greatest fighters ever. Every Spartan boy was trained in the army. When a Spartan child was born it would be examined, and if it was a strong and healthy boy it would grow up to be a soldier, and if it was crippled it would be left on the mountain side to die. A strong girl would grow up to be a good mother and the if weak was also cast onto the mountain side. If a Spartan boy was caught stealing he would be beaten severely not because he had stole but because he was caught. The boys started there training at seven and served in the army most of there life. It was considered an honor to die in battle. It was also a disgrace to lose a battle and come home still alive. You may say who does all the farm work to feed the city-state? Well, the Spartans conquered many countries and brought the conquered natives back to do the farming.
The Battle of Thermopylae
The most famous battle involving Spartan soliders was that of Thermopylae where, in 480 BC, a force of 300 hoplites under command of King Leonidas held back a massive Persian army under command of Xerxes. With nothing but spears, shields, and sweaty loincloths these soldiers fought off the following:
- Armored Rhinos
- Mutants
- Guys with Grenades
- War Elephants
- Orcs
- Goat-Man